Voting machine



Feb. 25, 1941. R. F. SHOUP VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W F w m ATTO R N EYS Feb. 25, 1941. 2,232,741

R. F. SHOUP VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 \NVENTOR Q 52, 4 4 BY 5 ATTORN EYS Feb. 25, 1941. R F, s oup 2,232,741

VOTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25. 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 0 59w i d5 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VOTING MACHINE Application February 23, 1939, Serial No. 257,782

28 Claims.

This invention relates to voting machines and more especially to voting machines of the type disclosed in Shoup et al., Patent No. 2,054,102.

An object of this invention is a voting machine of the above-referred to type equipped with mechanism for conditioning the machine for primary election characterized by the provision of voter-actuated mechanism by means of which the voter himself releases the voting handles a1- located to one political party, thus permitting the voter to keep secret his choice of party in the primary election, as is the law in certain communities.

A further object is to make the voter-actuated mechanism of such structure that in the event section being taken substantially on the line ll of Fig. 4;

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary vertical sections partially broken away taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 4 showing different stages of operation;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sections substantially on the line 4--4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 1 showing different stages of operation;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 66 of Fi 1;

Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged fragmentary sections on the line ll of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 9 illustrates the party interlock.

In this paragraph is described structure common both to the voting machine embodying the present invention and to the machine of Shoup et al., Patent No. 2,054,102, corresponding parts beingdesignated by the same reference characters in so far as is practical. In Fig. 1 is disclosed thespindle locking and restoring frame shown in Fig. 2 to its spindle releasing position shown in Fig. 1, but such movement of the frame is prevented while the machine is in curtain open condition and during change thereof from ourtain open to curtain closed condition by a latch 12, Fig. 2. The machine includes a reciprocating cam bar (not shown) which moves between two positions during change of the machine from curtain open condition to curtain closed condition and back to curtain open condition. The main cam bar releases the latch 12 just before arrival at its position corresponding to curtain closed condition and upon release of the latch 12 the locking and restoring frame snaps to the position shown in Fig. l to disconnect the rungs $1 from the arms 59. On the return of said main cam bar to its position corresponding to curtain closed condition, the bar causes movement of the locking and restoring frame to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby restoring the voted spindles to unvoted position and looking all spindles in such position. The operation of the above-described mechanism is the same as in said Shoup et al. patent and will not be herein set forth in any greater detail.

On each spindle 38 is provided an arm 50 interconnected by a pin 5% to the arm 59 and to which is attached a pull bar 61 leading to an interlock (not shown) by means of which the number of operable spindles is determined. Means similar to those disclosed in applicants Patent No. 2,191,086 are provided for conditioning the machine for a primary election. Each arm 59 is equipped with a plate 59a having a slot through which extends one end of the pin 59b for the purpose of movably attaching the plate to the arm. Vertical channel bars 190 are supported by links I91 pivoted at one end to the bars I and at the other end to the straps 40. The upper end of each bar I90 is attached to one end of a link I98, the other end of which is connected to the straight ticket lever by means not shown, but identical with the disclosure in said Patent No. 2,191,086. The bars I90 are cut away to provide rungs I94 engageable either with the fingers of the plates 59a or the arms 59' for straight ticket voting or for primary voting respectively, all as described in said patent.

A plurality of horizontal pull bars 200 lie in back of the straps 40 and at their left ends are provided with elongated slots into which project pins 20I carried by rods 202 having portions extending through the casing Ill and being provided with a knob 203 for each rod. In so far as the present invention is concerned, there is no need to have the rods 202 extend through the casing and they are so shown merely to correlate this application with another of applicants co-pending applications, for example, Ser. No. 260,288. A housing 10a carried by the casing 10 encloses the knobs 203 and renders them inaccessible.

In each pull bar 200 is provided a notch into which extends a lug 40a carried by a strap 40, such lug serving to limit the stroke of the pull bar 200, such stroke being less than the stroke of the rod 202, the difference between the length of the strokes being compensated by the lost motion connection between the rod and the pull bar.

When the machine is conditioned for primary voting, all the pull bars 190 corresponding to the columns of spindles allocated to each political party are connected to a draw bar 200 by links 204. The arrangement is such that when a draw bar 200 is in its extreme right position, all the bars 190 connected thereto are held in elevated position with the rungs 194 engaging the under surface of the fingers of plates 59a carried by the voting spindles of the corresponding columns, thus locking said spindles against operation. Movement of a draw bar 200 to the left lowers the bars 190 connected thereto, thereby freeing the associated spindles for operation. The mechanism just described constitutes part of the subject-matter of said Patent No. 2,191,086.

Near their bottom ends certain of the straps 40 are provided with studs 205 which extend through horizontal slots in a slide 206 having a series of oblique wall depressions 20611 in its upper edge, the spacing between such depressions being equal to the space between the bars 190, each of which is provided with a pin 190a adapted to engage the top edge of the slide 206. At the left end of the slide is a transversely extending plate 201 (Fig. 6) the right edge of which constitutes a shoulder adapted to be engaged by the lower end of the extreme left bar 66 of the locking and restoring frame to effect leftward movement of the slide upon leftward movement of the locking and restoring frame. A spring 208 extending between the left end of the plate 201 and said extreme left bar 66 tends to maintain the right edge of the plate 201 in engagement with said bar. A plate 209 carried by the slide 206 has a notch 210 adapted to receive one end of a spring actuated detent 211 pivotally supported by a partition 39 such as shown in said Patent No. 2,054,102.

With the machine in curtain-open position, the locking and restoring frame, together with the slide 206 are positioned to the right as shown in Fig. 3 so that the top edge of the slide is in the path of the pins 190a, thus preventing the downward movement of the bars 190 necessary to release the spindles. However, upon movement of the machine into curtain-closed position, the locking and restoring frame moves to the position shown in Fig. 1 with concurrent leftward movement of the plate 206 to a position in which the detent 211 engages the notch 210, thus bringing the depressions 206a beneath the pins 190a. Subject to restrictions later to be described, a pull bar 200 may now be operated by the voter to release the spindles of one party.

Each rod 202 is provided with a rack 212 which meshes with a segmental gear 213 mounted on a spindle 214 having an actuating handle 215 accessible to a voter. A spring 215a (Fig. 5) exerts pressure on the handle 215 tending to hold it in the position shown in Fig. 3. By operation of the proper handle 215, after the locking and restoring frame has moved into unlocked position and the slide 206 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 1, the voter may actuate the proper bar 202 to release the voting spindles of the party of his choice. The voter may then proceed to register his choice by operation of the released spindies.

Means similar to the means more fully disclosed and claimed in said application, Serial No. 260,288 are provided for locking out the bars 202, such means consisting of plates 221, 228 and 229, each of which is held in an actuated position by a latch 231, normally held in operative position by a spring 232 and having a tooth 233 for engagement with notches 234 in said plates to act as ratchet means to prevent retrograde movement of any actuated plate (Fig. 9). The three plates 221, 228 and 220 are of equal size and are arranged vertically in side by side relation. In the particular each of these plates is provided with slots a, b, c, d, e and f. In the plate 221, the slot a is horizontal with a vertical slot leading downwardly from its inner end, the slots b and cl are fully horizontal while the slots 0, e and I have oblique components. In the plate 228, the slots a, b and J have oblique components While the slots 0, d and e are fully horizontal. In the plate 229, the slot a is the same as in plate 221, while the slots 1), c and d have oblique components and the slots e and J are fully horizontal. The pins 201 of the bars 202 are adapted to enter the slots of the three plates. Thus, when any one of the bars 202 is moved to the left, the corresponding pin 201 enters one set of correspondingly designated slots of the three plates with the result that the remaining slots are so misalined that no other bar 202 can be actuated. The latch 231 is car ried by a shaft 235 to which is also attached an arm 238 provided with a pin 231, which extends into an aperture in the strap 222, said aperture having an oblique face 222a. A link 239 has at its left end a slot into which extends a pin 231 and this link is operated as described in said application, Serial No. 260,288, to render the 1' latch inoperative when the machine is in curtainopen position. Upon downward movement of the strap 222, the surface 222a engages the pin 231 to swing the arm 236 and latch 231 clockwise into inoperative position, thereby releasing the interlock plates at the same time that the detent 21 1 is disengaged from the notch 210.

After a voter has released the voting spindles of the party of his choice and has indicated his vote, the machine is returned to curtain open condition and the vote is registered in the manner described in said Patent No. 2,054,102. Simultaneously the link 209 is moved to the right to swing the latch 231 into inoperative position and release the interlock plates. A pin 255 on the link 239 effects counter-clockwise rotation of a bell crank lever 256 which in turn elfects downward movement of the strap 222 by engagement with a pin 251 on said strap, thereby causing the bottom stud 233 to trip the detent 2| 1 and release the slide 205 for return to its curtain-open position shown in Fig. 3 by the spring 208.

Means are provided so that should a voter operate a handle 215 other than that allocated to the party of his choice, he may secretely restore such handle to its original position together with the associated bars 190 and 200 and then actuate the correct handle 215. This means comprises a cam 216 carried by a shaft 211 having a handle 218'accessible to the voter. A spring 219 tends embodiment herein illustrated, a

to maintain the cam in the position shown in Fig. 1. The edge of the cam engages a roller 228) provided at the left end of the top cross bar 65. The cam also engages a pin 22l carried by a vertical strap 222 having studs 223 extending into vertical slots 226 in the partition 39 by which the strap is mounted for vertical movement. One end of the detent 2 extends into the path of the bottom stud 223, the spring 225 tending,

to maintain the strap 222 in its uppermost position.

In the event that a voter has operated a wrong handle 265, he pulls down on the handle 2l8, thereby rotating cam 2H5 clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2. The shape of the cam 2|6 is such that the locking and restoring frame is returned to its locking position by rotation of the cam from the position shown in Fig. 1, to the position shown in Fig. 2, thus returning to original position any voting spindles that may have been actuated. Upon additional clockwise movement of the cam 266 from the position shown in Fig. 2, to the position shown in Fig. 3, the cam retains the locking and restoring frame in its spindle locking position and engages the pin 22l to effect downward movement of the strap 222 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby bringing the stud 223 into engagernent with the detent 25! to disengage it from the notch 2m, and the surface 222a into engagement with the pin 23'! to swing the latch 23! into inoperative position. The springs 208 and 215a thereupon effect movement of the slide 296 and the actuated handle 2i5 together with the associated rod 202 and bar 2% to the position shown in Fig. 3, thereby eifecting return to normal position of any actuated bar I80 with the slide 2% again in position to prevent downward movement of all bars I92. Upon release of the handle 2&8, the cam 2H5 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1 by the spring 219, with a concurrent return to the position shown in such figure of the locking and restoring frame by the spring H and the slide 206 b ythe restoring frame whereupon the voter may now again actuate a handle 255. Also, the strap 222 is returned to original position by the spring 225, thereby releasing the detent 2H to re-engage the notch 2 to. The latch 12 is kept in inoperative position due to the fact that the machine otherwise remains in curtain-closed position. Upon return of the strap to its original position, the latch 23! is released for engagement with the notches 233.

In Fig. 1, the machine is shown as set up for a five-party primary election. Of the six vertical bars I90 shown in Fig. 1, two vertical bars are connected to the second from the top pull bar 2%, while each of the remaining vertical bars is connected toe. single pull bar by links 2% and the second pull bar from the top is shown as having been actuated. This arrangement allocates to one party a greater number of spindles, it being assumed that such party has a larger number of candidates than the remaining parties. The fourth from the top pull bar 2% is not connected to any of the vertical bars, but in the event of a six-party primary election, this bar would be connected to a vertical bar in the same manner as the remaining pull bars. Thus, with the arrangement shown, the machine may be set up for a primary election involving as many as six parties.

Each bar Hill is provided with a plurality of holes and each link 2% is provided with a pin 2 48 for insertion into such holes. Alt the opposite end of each link is provided an aperture having a key slot 249 extending longitudinally of the link. Each pull bar 268 is provided with a plurality :of studs 250 receivable in a link aperture and having a head of proper cross section to pass through the keyway 249. These studs are arranged on the pull bars 20%] with their heads in the proper oblique relation to the bars that the heads are out of register with the keyways 249 in all positions of the pull bar \permitted by the lug 40a. The link is thus positively held in assembled relation with the two bars. However, the oblique relation of the heads is such that a head may be brought into register with the keyway by movement of a pull bar 2m to the right of the position shown in Fig. 1. Such movement can be effected .by springing the left end of a pull bar sufficiently to disengage it from .the lug Ella. thereby releasing it for rightward movement. This procedure is followed in order to effect assembly of the links 264 with the pull bars and vertical bars when conditioning the machine for a primary election.

The locking and restoring frame is maintained in spindle-locking position until the curtains are completely closed by mechanism not herein shown, but fully disclosed in Shoup, No. 2,054,102 so that the voter cannot actuate any one of the handles 215 until after the curtains have closed, thus insuring that the votor selects his party in absolute secrecy. Furthermore, the structure and relationship of the plates 2 21, 228 and 229 is such that they prevent actuation of two handles 215 simultaneously by a voter. A slidable stud 244 underlies the bottom edges of the plates 221, 228 and 229 and the plate 228 is cut away at 2 35, the stud being movable to the left of the position shown in Fig. 1 to drop the plate 228 sufiiciently to render the lockout mechanism inoperative when the machine is set up for general voting.

The slots in the bar 206 through which extend the studs 2f95 have enlarged heads at their right ends, the diameter of such heads being substantially the same as the diameter of the studs 225. Each stud 205 is provided with an outer groove 20 5a (Fig. 6) and an inner groove in which is received the edges of the slot for holding the slide 2% in the position shown in Fig. 6. In the plate 221 are provided two L-shaped slots 2M0. through which project vertical studs 20??) projecting upwardly from a horizontal plate Nib supported by the casing Iii. The slots 201a and studs Zillb -co-oper ate to guide the plate 26? during back and forth movement of the slide 266. When the machine is to be used for a general election or primary election in which the release of party spindles is controlled by an election ofiicer, the slide 206 is moved to the left of the position shown in Figs. 1 and 6 .to bring the enlarged heads of the slots in the plate 2% into register with the studs 205 and the transverse portions of the slots 201a into register with the studs 2M1), after which sufficient lateral movement of the slide is effected to move it out of the path of the studs [92a as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6. Next, the slide 2% is moved slightly to the right to bring the edges of the slots in the slide 226 into the grooves 2850. to lock the slide in the dotted line position of Fig. 6. The shape of the slots 201a is designed to permit corresponding movement of the plate 221.

It is of course understood that various modifications may be made in the structure above described without in any Way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said iembers for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle-locking position and in a second position to release said members, means operative in conjunction with movement of said frame out of spindle-locking position to move said slide into its second position, resilient means for moving said slide into said first position, a detent for maintaining said slide in said second position, and means for moving said frame into spindlelocking position and releasing said detent.

2. A votin machine according to claim 1 in which said resilient means is interconnected between said slide and frame.

3. In voting machine, a plurality of rows of votin spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of operative position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindlelocliing position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, and means for returning said frame to spindle -locking position and releasing said detent.

4. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting s ndles, a movable frame operative in one posi on to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, means operable by any pull bar for preventing operation of the remaining pull bars, slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position in a second position to release said members, means operative in conjunction with movement of said frame out of spindle locking position to move said slide into its second position, resilient means for moving said slide into said first position, a detent for maintaining said slide in said second position and voter-operable means for moving said frame into spindle-locking position and releasing said detent.

5. A voting machine according to claim 4 in which said resilient means is connected between said slide and frame.

6. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, means operable by any pull bar for preventing operation of the remaining pull bars, a slide operable in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindlelocking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, and voter-operable means for returning said frame to spindle-locking position and releasing said detent.

7. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, means to look any pull bar in actuated position and prevent operation of the remaining pull bars, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position said slide into its first position, a detent for maintaining said slide in said second position, voteroperable means for moving said frame into spindle-locking position and releasing said detent, and means operative in conjunction with return of said frame to operative position to release said pull bar locking means.

8. A voting machine according to claim '7 in which said resilient means is connected between said slide and frame.

9. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, means to look any pull bar in actuated position and prevent operation of the remaining pull bars, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle-locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, voter-operable means for returning said frame to spindle-locking position and releasing said detent, and means operative upon return movemerit of said frame to spindle locking position to release said pull bar locking means.

10. In a voting machine, :a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operated pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle-locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said should-er :in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, a movable element operative in one position to render said detent inoperative, means tending to move said element out of said position and a voter-operable cam adapted upon actuation by a voter to return said frame to spindle locking position and move said element into position to render said detent inoperative.

11. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, :a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operated pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle locking position to move said slide'from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, a movable element operative in one position to render said detent inoperative, means tending to move said element out of said position, a voter-operable cam adapted upon actuation by a voter to return said frame to spindlelocking position and move said element into position to render said detent inoperative, means to look any pull bar in actuated position and prevent operation of the remaining pull bars, and means operative in conjunction with return of said frame to spindle locking position to release said pull bar locking means.

12. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one posit-ion to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and perative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operated pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, a movable element operative in one position to render said detent inoperative, means tending to move said element out of said position, a voter-operable cam adapted upon actuation by a voter to return said frame to spindleloclcing position and move said element into position to render said detent inoperative, means operable by any pull bar for preventing operation of the remaining pull bars, a latch coacting with said last-named means to lock an actuated pull bar in such position and coacting means on said element and latch for rendering the latter inoperative upon movement of the former into position to render said detent inoperative.

13. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a member associated with each row and supported for movement into and out of position to lock the spindles in the associated column, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide at one end of said members and having portions engageable therewith in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle-locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, and voter-operable means for returning said frame to spindle-locking position and releasing said detent.

14. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a member associated with each row and supported for movement into and out of position to lock the spindles in the associated column, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide at one end of said members and having portions engageable therewith in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle-locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle-locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, voter-operable means for returning said frame to spindle-locking position and releasing said detent, means to look any pull bar in actuated position and prevent operation of the remaining pull bars, and means operative in conjunction with return of said frame to spindle-locking position to release said pull bar locking means.

15. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a member associated with each row and supported for movement into and out of position to lock the spindles in the associated column, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindlelocl-:- ing position, a slide at one end of said members and having portions engageable therewith in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle-locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, means to look any pull bar in actuated position and prevent operation of the remaining pull bars, a voter-operated cam adapted to return said frame to spindle-locking position and release said detent, and means operative in conjunction With the return of said frame to spindlelocking position to release said pull bar locking means.

16. A voting machine according to claim 13 in which the rows of spindles are vertical, the members associated with each row are. supported for combined horizontal and vertical movement, the pull bars are horizontal and the slide is arranged at the bottom of said members.

17. A voting machine according to claim 14 in which the rows of spindles are vertical, the members associated with each row are supported for combined horizontal and vertical movement, the pull bars are horizontal and the slide is arranged at the bottom of said members.

18. A voting machine according to claim 15 in which the rows of spindles are vertical, the members associated with each row are supported for combined horizontal and vertical movement, the pull bars are horizontal and the slide is arranged at the bottom of said members.

19. In a voting machine, a plurality of columns of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each column and operative in one position to lock the spindles of such column, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, means interconmeeting said frame and slide to move said slide into its second position upon movement of said frame out of spindle-locking position and to move said slide into its first position upon movement of said frame into spindle locking position, and voter-operated means for moving said frame into spindle-locking position.

20. A voting machine according to claim 19 characterized by means operable by any pull bar for preventing operation of the remaining pull bars.

21. In a voting machine, a plurality of groups of voting spindles, spindle locking and restoring means, means for operating said last-named means between spindle locked and spindle unlocked positions, additional spindle locking means individual to each group of spindles, means including a voter-actuated key associated with each group locking means for rendering the same inoperative, means for preventing concurrent operation of more than one of said keys and locking an actuated key, and voter-actuatable means for unlocking an actuated key and restoring the same together with the associated group locking means to spindle locked position.

22. A voting machine according to claim 21 in which said voter-actuatable means is operable both before and after actuation of one or more spindles of a released group.

23. In a voting machine, a plurality of groups of voting spindles, spindle locking and restoring means, means for operating said last-named means between spindle locked and spindle unlocked positions, additional spindle locking means individual to each group of spindles, means including a voter-actuated key associated with each group locking means for rendering the same inoperative, means for preventing concurrent operation of more than one of said keys and locking an actuated key, and means including a voteractuated handle for moving said locking and restoring means into spindle locked position and releasing the same for return to spindle released position and for unlocking an actuated key and restoring the same together with the associated group locking means to spindle locked position.

24. A voting machine according to claim 23 in Which said voter--actuatable means are operable both before and after the actuation of one or more spindles of a released group.

25. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operated pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle-locking position and in a second position to release said members, a shoulder on said slide engageable by said frame upon movement thereof out of spindle-locking position to move said slide from its first to its second position, resilient means tending to maintain said shoulder in contact with said frame, a detent for maintaining said slide in its second position, a movable element operative in one position to render said detent inoperative, means tending to move said element out of said position, and a voter-operable cam adapted upon actuation by a voter to return said frame to spindle-locking position and move said element into position to render said detent inoperative.

26. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle-locking position, a slide operative in a first position to maintain all said members in spindle-locking position and in a second position to release said members, means operative in conjunction with movement of said frame out of spindle-locking position to move said slide into its second position, resilient means for moving said slide into said first position, a detent for maintaining said slide in said second position, and a voter-operable cam adapted upon actuation by a voter to return said frame to spindle-locking position and to render said detent inoperative.

27. In a voting machine, a plurality of rows of voting spindles, a movable frame operative in. one position to lock said spindles, means tending to move said frame out of said position, a movable member associated with each row and operative in one position to lock the spindles in the associated row, a plurality of voter-operable pull bars to each of which is connected one or more of said members for movement thereby into and out of spindle locking position, means operable by any pull bar for preventing operation of the remaining pull bars, a slide operative inv a first position to maintain all said members in spindle locking position and in a second position to release said members, means operative in conjunction with movement of said frame out of spindle-locking position to move said slide into its second position, resilient means for moving said slide into said first position, a detent for maintaining said slide in said second position, and a voter-operable cam adapted upon actuation by a voter to return said frame to spindle-locking position and render said detent inoperative.

28. In a voting machine, a plurality of groups of voting spindles, means individual to each group for locking the spindles thereof, a voter actuatable member for each group for rendering inoperative the locking means therefor, locking and restoring means common to all said spindles and movable out of spindle-locking position, means for moving said common spindle locking and restoring means out of and back into locking position, and means accessible only to the voter for moving said common spindle locking and restoring means from non-locking position into locking position and restoring any actuated group member and its associated group locking means tospindle locking position.

RANSOM F. SHOUP. 

